Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiological agent, an infectious prion, is extremely difficult to inactivate and can be transmitted directly or indirectly to hosts. Due to these attributes of prions, proper disposal of CWD-infected carcasses is an important consideration for management agencies to minimize the risk of infection of new hosts and prevent environmental contamination. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions.
The efficacy of incineration in practice (e.g., using mobile incineration units), however, has not been evaluated for inactivation of prions in carcasses. Additionally, with the development of ultra-sensitive in vitro prion detection technologies with sensitivities approaching or exceeding that of conventional bioassay (e.g., transgenic mice), new tools are available to monitor prion inactivation in incinerators within reasonable timescales. During this project, we will optimize the RT-QuIC assay for detecting prions from incinerator ash and emissions, and then use the assay to examine the ability of incinerators to inactivate prions under laboratory conditions. Finally, we will evaluate the efficacy of mobile incinerator units for prion inactivation using whole infected deer carcasses. The project will provide the ability to perform a quantitative assessment of the risk posed by incineration of CWD-infected materials, insight into the effectiveness of mobile incinerator units for CWD carcass disposal, and critical guidance for management recommendations regarding proper carcass disposal to protect cervid health.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease
Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
Enhanced Capacity for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Certified Diagnostics at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management
Chronic Wasting Disease
- Overview
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiological agent, an infectious prion, is extremely difficult to inactivate and can be transmitted directly or indirectly to hosts. Due to these attributes of prions, proper disposal of CWD-infected carcasses is an important consideration for management agencies to minimize the risk of infection of new hosts and prevent environmental contamination. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions.
The efficacy of incineration in practice (e.g., using mobile incineration units), however, has not been evaluated for inactivation of prions in carcasses. Additionally, with the development of ultra-sensitive in vitro prion detection technologies with sensitivities approaching or exceeding that of conventional bioassay (e.g., transgenic mice), new tools are available to monitor prion inactivation in incinerators within reasonable timescales. During this project, we will optimize the RT-QuIC assay for detecting prions from incinerator ash and emissions, and then use the assay to examine the ability of incinerators to inactivate prions under laboratory conditions. Finally, we will evaluate the efficacy of mobile incinerator units for prion inactivation using whole infected deer carcasses. The project will provide the ability to perform a quantitative assessment of the risk posed by incineration of CWD-infected materials, insight into the effectiveness of mobile incinerator units for CWD carcass disposal, and critical guidance for management recommendations regarding proper carcass disposal to protect cervid health.
Mule deer in Wyoming. (Photo credit: BLM. Public Domain.) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 32 US states and four Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 32 states and three provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 18 states and three provinces.Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
Managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) involves more than understanding the ecology of the disease. It includes complex relationships among social, economic, and political factors that affect intervention opportunities, consequences for stakeholders, and ultimately disease outcomes. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Ventana Systems, Inc., and the...Enhanced Capacity for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Certified Diagnostics at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal disease that impacts populations of deer, elk, moose, and other cervid species caused by an infectious protein called a prion.Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. The development of the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay has the potential to transform laboratory research of prions and provide new opportunities for improved surveillance and management.Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife. - Partners